Shark’s Cove is a spot where you can swim with lots of fish in the beautiful ocean of Hawaii.
With more fish than Hanauma Bay on the east coast or Electric Beach on the west coast, it is truly the number one fish paradise in Hawaii!
It is a popular spot visited by many people not only from Hawaii but from all over the world to enjoy snorkeling!
When you enter the ocean, even the shallow waters just a few meters deep are already like a natural aquarium, and you can actually encounter more than 40 types of fish within the snorkeling area, finding various fish in different colors and sizes.
You cannot enter during the winter season when the waves are strong and dangerous, but during the summer season, it is the most highly recommended beach spot!
How to Enjoy Shark’s Cove
When people hear the name Shark’s Cove, they often ask, “Are there sharks?” However, it is called this because the shape of the cove looks like a shark’s teeth.
Please rest assured that sharks do not come into the swimming area!
On the other hand, if you actually want to see sharks, there are shark tours that take you out to the open ocean by boat from Haleiwa on the North Shore. (Haha)
Recommended Season
The best season for Shark’s Cove is from May to September, and during the winter from November to March, the waves are high and dangerous, so you can hardly enter the water.
In April and October, it depends on the day whether you can enter or not.
The time when the waves are truly calm and you can almost certainly swim is from late May to early September.
When entering the ocean, the season is important, but make sure to check the actual wave conditions and see if it is safe for your swimming ability!
Areas with Lots of Fish and Sea Turtles
Inside the bay of Shark’s Cove, there is always a large school of fish along the rocky area on the far left.
You can also often see large schools of fish in the shallow area near the shore in the central part.
The offshore area in the central part gets deeper and does not have many fish, so you can just skip it.
If you swim along the rocky area on the right side of the bay, you have a high chance of encountering sea turtles.
Diving is also recommended, as the surrounding area features underwater caves, so you are sure to have a great time while seeing many creatures!
Points to Note at Shark’s Cove
As soon as you enter the ocean, the water depth reaches about 5 meters, so if you are not a strong swimmer, you should play at the neighboring Pupukea Beach.
Pupukea Beach has a rock wall, so not many waves come in. In addition, the depth is about knee to waist level, so you can enter the water even without swimming.
Common Injuries
At Shark’s Cove, injuries such as cutting your feet on the rocks occur frequently.
This is because the rocks are naturally sharp due to the terrain, so even a slight bump can cause a cut.
Therefore, when swimming, please be sure to enter and exit from the sandy areas!
Also, if you have marine shoes, it might be better to bring them.
Rules and Manners
Shark’s Cove is designated as the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District.
Therefore, you should keep in mind the basic manners of Hawaii: “no feeding the fish,” “do not touch sea turtles or coral,” and “use reef-safe sunscreen!”
Please cherish the environment of Hawaii so that we can continue to play with many fish forever.
Basic Information about Shark’s Cove
| Name | Shark’s Cove |
| Address | 59-671 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 24 hours |
| Closed | None |
| Required Time | About 15 minutes or more |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
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